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Today I have something incredibly thrilling for you…vegetable broth made from scratch from scraps. It’s the simple things that get me going. Listen, it’s hard (not impossible) to compost in the city in the Winter. Make the most of what you’ve got by cooking from root to stalk.

Every time I chop, dice, or julienne, I resist the urge to toss the tops, bottoms, and peels. Instead I keep them to make vegetable stock, the base of all delicious winter soups. There are two schools of thought on this one : freezer fanatics and fridge aficionados. Freezing will definitely allow you to wait longer to make the broth, but will take some of the flavor out of your water rich vegetables (I am looking at youcelery). Storing in the fridge with a damp towel in the bag will keep your vegetables viable for up to a week.

Once you’ve gathered all your bits and pieces, slowly cook them with water, vegetables on the verge of going bad, herbs, spices, salt, miso, mushrooms, seaweed, etc. It’s a slow process so keep tasting and tweaking until you feel like this liquid could be the beginning of a beautiful dish.

Ingredients:

Saved scraps of vegetables from your masterful meals

Salt and pepper to taste

Miso is a nice addition

Any vegetables on the verge of going bad

Mushrooms are always a good idea

Nori or dried sea vegetables add a nice mouthfeel

Directions:

As you make your dishes throughout the week, cut scraps down into 2 inch or smaller pieces. The smaller the cut of the vegetable the more flavor you’ll be able to extract. Don’t go too small or else you won’t be able to strain it out as easily. Keep these stored in a freezer-safe ziploc bag in the freezer or in the fridge with a moist paper towel.

Pick a day when you’re going to be around the house for a couple of hours. Survey the fridge for any vegetables about to go bad. Cut them up and add them to bag.

Heat two tablespoons olive oil, sesame oil, or high quality grapeseed oil over medium heat in a dutch oven or a stock pot. Add the veggies and sauté until fragrant.

Fill the pot with filtered water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer. Leave the lid off to let the liquid reduce half way. This could take anywhere between 2-4 hours. The more you let it reduce the more flavorful the stock will be. Check in and stir every so often.

Drain the stock through a colander and divide into different freezer safe containers. If you’ve reduced the stock enough, you can freeze it in ice cube trays. This dense of a stock can be rehydrated with water. I usually store half the stock in the fridge and half in the freezer.

Rich, creamy braised greens and tahini meet their perfect partner with crunchy, smoky roasted chickpeas. I’ve been totally crushing on chickpeas this month. Some evenings i’ll casually leave a cup of dried garbanzos soaking. Some mornings I just wake up, open a can and see what happens next. It’s just me and you, fiber-rich, protein-packed little legumes. What will this day bring us? (hint: better blood sugar regulation and lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol)

It’s definitely been a good year for kale and at the brink of over-exposure, it still rules as one of the most versatile and reliable greens. It’s hearty enough to be the star of the entrée and healthy enough to play a supporting role. Keep greens interesting by switching up your cooking technique and finding inspiration from classic flavor pairings. Tahini and chickpeas (humus anyone?) are old friends, a great place to start a beautiful dish.

Think about braising as a day at the spa for your favorite superfood. At the end of the day, your kale will still be vibrant green, relaxed, and ready to give you all it has to offer. Relying on heat and moisture, braising is the middle ground between sautéeing and steaming. Be careful not to overcook your greens, too much heat for too long and you’ll lose nutrients and end up a with lifeless mushy mess.

3. Line a cookie sheet with parchment and roast chickpeas for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. They should be crunchy but not blackened.

Part Two: Braising the Kale

1. Wash and de-stem kale. Hold the base of the kale stem and run your fingers along the spine to easily remove leaves. Lay leaves flat and chop. I used a bunch of lacinato kale and a bunch of curly kale to create a more dynamic flavor and consistency.

2. Dice onions and thinly slice garlic.

3. In a cast iron skillet or a dutch oven, warm olive oil or high quality grapeseed oil. Add in onions and garlic. Sweat out until translucent, about one minute.

4. Add in kale. Sautée for a minute or two allowing all of the leaves to get contact with the heat momentarily. You might have to do this in increments if your pot is not very large. Season with salt, pepper or red chili flakes.

5. Add in vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer immediately. Cover and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

: A deliciously creamy way to make a simple, dairy-free risotto using whole grain rice.

What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of risotto? Cream, butter, cheese, a sore wrist (from stirring, c’mon)? With RiCAUsso, roasted and whipped CAUliflower mimics the rich texture of slow cooked starchy aroborio-based risotto. It’s a shortcut of sorts, but it allows you to use wild rice which is high in protein, calcium, vitamin A and iron. This means you get all the good-for-you without sacrificing the good-flavor-mmm.

RiCAUsso was inspired by an evening in the woods with only cauliflower, wild rice, mushrooms and a bottle of white wine at our disposal. Culinary inspiration often comes from limitations. A cold night upstate with good friends and only a few ingredients available had me craving rich, rustic and warm.

Comfort food warms you in the moment with it’s fatty, creamy texture but often leaves you feeling a little uncomfortable in the morning. By substituting difficult to digest dairy for fiber and antioxidant-rich cauliflower, RiCAUsso is a healthier way to feel warm and cozy from the inside out.

Ingredients/You only need these

1 head of cauliflower

4 cloves garlic

3 cups mushrooms, sliced (I used cremini)

3-4 sprigs of fresh or freshly dried thyme

1 cup uncooked wild rice, about 3 cups cooked

1 medium yellow onion

1 small shallot

fresh thyme

white wine (optional)

Directions/Easier than it looks

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Prepare the wild rice by bringing 1 cup rice and 3 cups filtered water to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer until rice is tender but not chewy. This will take anywhere from 40-50 minutes depending on how wild your rice gets.

3. Break cauliflower head down into florets. Wash and toss with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tsp sea salt. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and spread florets out in one layer. Roast for 30 minutes or until soft and browned. Stir occasionally so the cauliflower roasts evenly.

4. As the rice and cauliflower are cooking, slice mushrooms, onions, shallot and garlic. Warm about 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Sautée onions, shallots and garlic until translucent. Add in mushrooms and a pinch of sea salt, sautée until the mushrooms release their moisture (about 2 minutes). Cook for about 5-8 more minute stirring occasionally, or until all moisture has evaporated and the mushrooms are reddish-brown. Add in thyme and white wine, stir for 30 seconds more.

5. Once the cauliflower is finished roasting, let it cool slightly and transfer to a blender or food processor. Slowly add in 1/4 cup increments of filtered water or vegetable broth and pulse until creamy. I ended up using about 2 cups of water, but this could vary depending on the cauliflower. Add salt and black pepper to taste.

6. Once the rice is finished cooking, drain out any excess water. Add mushrooms and creamy cauliflower to the pot and mix until well incorporated. It should become a rich, thick pot of goodness in a matter of seconds. Add more thyme, salt, pepper or white wine to taste. I like to have my vegetable to grain ratio be about 50/5 0, although the more vegetables the merrier.

7. Serve with a fresh, green salad and some good friends. If you don’t have any good friends nearby, share this dish with a handsome stranger and you’ll be friends in no time.

Imagine waking up to fresh cooked, deliciously creamy oatmeal. Imagine after you empty the pot with the final scoop of that nourishing, energizing and warming meal you don’t even have to scrub the bottom of the pot. No, you aren’t still dreaming. No, you haven’t hired a private chef. You’ve just cooked breakfast in your sleep.

At the risk of sounding boastful, overnight oats are one of the best things I’ve made for myself. They take one minute of waking time to make AND they slide right out of the pot (anybody who has ever made steel cut oats knows that the clean up is killer). Oh yeah, and they also provide just the right balance of low-gi carbohydrates, fiber and protein to keep you feeling energized and comforted all the way to lunch. Choose steel cut oats as they are the whole grain groat, the inner portion of the oat kernel, which have been cut into two or three pieces rather than flattened.

After reading this please rid yourself of those quick cooking oat packets. That nonsense is highly processed and filled with sugar. Overnight oats are a heart-healthy, cholesterol controlling whole grain. Imagine them as a blank canvas for your day. Feeling sweet or savory? Feeling like a nut? Add eggs or nuts for additional protein. Add tomatoes or berries for free-radical fighting antioxidants.

All you have to do is remember to set the stage before bed and when you wake up in the morning, you can pretend your personal chef is planning on giving you a healthy, happy heart this year.

Directions / Keep it simple

1. Mix 1 part steel cut oats with 3 parts boiling water.

2. Add a pinch of salt. Stir and let boil for one minute.

3. Turn off heat, cover pot. Walk away. Get some sleep.

4. Wake up! Turn heat on low, add a splash of water or fresh almond milk, or half a mashed banana. Stir until warm.

Now it’s time to get creative with toppings! Take yourself to the tropics with a mix of toasted coconut flakes, toasted walnuts and mashed bananas. Brighten up your day with the sweet flavors of fresh red raspberries, toasted almond slivers and a dusting of lemon zest.

A friend recently asked me what i’d take first from my apartment in the event of a fire. My answer? Some family photos and… my Vitamix. It’s the whole reason I get out of bed in the morning. Knowing that my glorious green smoothie will jump start my day really revs my engine. Green smoothies are the talk of the town these days, and for a good reason.

Green smoothies are a nutritional powerhouse packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and fiber. Built from the greens up, these smoothies are lower in sugar than their fruit-based brother. By keeping the whole vegetable and fruit in tact ( protein and fiber stay in the cup) they offer more sustained energy than their green juice sister.

Seriously, when was the last time you ate an entire pound of kale in one sitting? Leafy greens are the key to making these smoothies live up to their full potential. When it comes to greens, don’t be afraid to go overboard with quantity and experiment with diversity. Best served ice cold.

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THE BEACHFRONT

1 cup filtered water, coconut water or coconut milk

4 organic celery stalks

1 small organic cucumber (about 1 – 1.5 cups)

2 cups kale (about 4 leaves, de-stemmed)

Juice of one very juicy lime

1 cup pineapple or mango (frozen or fresh)

1/2 inch of peeled ginger (grated if you don’t have a powerful blender)

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GINGER PEACH

5 cups organic spinach (or 3 big handfuls)

1/2 inch peeled ginger

1 cup frozen or 2 small fresh peaches

1 cup water

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GO GREEN OR GO HOME

1 cup organic spinach

1 cup organic kale

1 head of organic romaine

1 handful parsley

1 small banana

2 stalks of organic celery

Juice of 1 lemon

1/2 cup frozen berries of your choice

1-2 cup filtered water

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​Fall is here! Hit the refresh button on your healthy eating habits with the Naughty + Nice Detox. We’re prepping for the upcoming holiday season with a group detox at Sapere Studio. Sign up HERE today to enjoy a week of clean eating!

Why hello there sexy, vibrant greens! Smooth and creamy, rich and light, this pesto gets around. It’s delicious versatility is matched only by it’s abundance of nutrients. The trick is to add in (some might say, sneak in) greens like creamy steamed broccoli and earthy, bold kale. Approach is key, by steaming the broccoli and kale you can create a rich and fluffy texture that eliminates the need for excess amounts of high- fat and calorie-dense oil and cheese.

Rich in calcium as well as fiber and protein (that’s right there is protein in vegetables!) kale and broccoli add something special to the classic pesto. Health-hero Walnuts add protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc to the mix. Let’s not forget the foundation of flavor, Basil. High in vitamin K ( your bones best friend), Basil is much more than a garnish.

LEAN GREEN KALE PESTO

Ingredients / what you’ll need

1 cup Raw Walnuts

1 cup Basil packed, destemmed

1 cup Broccoli florets

1 cup Kale, destemmed

2 medium Garlic Cloves

1/2 Lemon, juiced

2 tsp Celtic Sea Salt

Black Pepper, to taste

1/4 cup cold pressed Olive Oil

Directions / fresh and easy

1. Chop broccoli and kale. Bring water to boil and steam until veggies become vibrant green, about 3 minutes with lid on.

This recipe is simple enough to whip up for quick Quinoa Pasta & Veggie dinner and tasty enough to impress your guests with a pesto Socca Flatbread. It’s delicious as a spread, a dip or a dressing. Enjoy!

Breakfast, you tricky little devil. I always forget about you. I’m not sure what you should be or what I want you to be. Sometimes, I have you and an hour later I need more!

The most common question people ask me (and this is when you know you’re a health counselor) is “what do YOU eat for breakfast?” Most days of the week the meal that breaks the night’s fast should be quick and easy, insanely nutritious and hopefully delicious. This is the first meal of the day, the one that sets the tone and starts the engine. On busy mornings we often want to just “pick something up” or “grab something and go,” but what is that SOMETHING!?

Let me propose a cookie. That’s right, cookies for breakfast. Everyone I introduce to the breakfast cookie falls in love. They are seduced by the simplicity of the recipe and convinced by its hunger satisfaction. The dynamic duo of protein and fiber digests slowly which prevents blood sugar spikes and energy crashes. With 7 grams of protein, 8.5 grams of fiber and no added sugar, these little guys will keep hunger at bay.

Nutritious, simple, delicious…let me introduce you to the Breakfast Cookie.

5. Pour mixture through nut milk bag/turkey basting bag/cheesecloth. I used a turkey basting bag here and my french press liner to make less of a mess. I like to use a big bowl and then do about 2 turns of pouring, then gently squeeze to release the rest of the milk.

6. Pour into an adorable jar and keep in the fridge for up to seven days.

Ladies and gentleman! I present to you Naughty+Nice, the official cleanse of Hustle+Glow. I’ve been working hard to create an easy, delicious whole foods based cleanse to help you kick some naughty habits. Consider this your body’s Spring cleaning. A chance to be nice to yourself. A week of eating clean and nourishing foods to help you get on a healthy track. I will be leading a group version of the cleanse through Sapere Studio in East Williamsburg, where we will incorporate detox yoga, online community support, as well as in-person meetings. It’s going to be a lot of fun and a blast of energy! If you can’t commit to doing the cleanse this week or can’t make it out to Sapere, I will be offering an entirely online version of the cleanse in April. So mark your calendars and get ready to feel amazing.

Check out the pre-cleanse meeting at Sapere this Sunday / 5pm – a chance to get a free peek into the detox.

Busy, sick, tired, injured? There are so many reasons we fall off the workout band wagon, but so many more reasons to get back on! The good news is there are plenty of enjoyable ways to get back into the habit. Try one of these tips today and you’ll be back on track before you know it.

1.Fitness date. It’s my number one recommendation for a reason. Nothing gets me to show up for a class more than knowing my girlfriend will be there with me. Working out with a friend is a fun way to push yourself harder. My roommate and I make kickboxing dates and often get in a little trouble because we are laughing so hard. Busy schedule? Having a fitness date lets you see your friends, commit to showing up, and work off a little stress with a lot of fun. Bonus: it’s often cheaper than a dinner date.

2. Revamp your gear . Are you a neon warrior in vibrant colors or sleek ninja in all black? When was the last time you gave your workout wardrobe a makeover? You don’t have to spend a ton of money, I recently bought some awesome neon socks and it made putting my sneakers on a little more fun. Old Navy has great, affordable workout gear. OR maybe it’s time you splurged on that Lululemon outfit you’ve been lusting after. When I feel good about the way I look while I’m working out, I feel better about my workout.

4. Commit to doing it everyday, even it’s just 20 minutes. Seriously, just go to the gym, press play on a video, get down on the mat for a minute plank….once you start, you’ll find it harder to quit. When I really don’t have time, I search online for 10 minute workout videos.

(My kicks wait for me by the door)

4. Strategically place your sneakers. Put them out before bed, bring them in your bag, get a second pair for your boyfriend’s house. You can’t do that run if you don’t have a sports bra. I like to put out my gym clothes the night before and put them on first thing in the morning. It’s a pretty effective practice – dress for success.

5. Do it in your bedroom. Or living room, garage and hallway. Exercising at home is the #1 excuse buster. Don’t have time? Save yourself the 30minute commute to the gym. Don’t know how to structure an effective workout? Try a video series like those offered by Jillian Michaels or Beach Body. Intimidated by your first yoga class? Sample the wide variety of yoga videos on sites like http://www.yogaglo.com or http://www.myyogaonline.com. Gym membership not in your budget this month? Try FREE workout videos online through YouTube (check out this one by Tracy Anderson), FitSugar (i’ve been squeezing this one in between appointment), or Pilates on Fifth.

Bonus Tip! Take a day off. That’s right, schedule some time to not work out. If you know you have a day of rest coming up, it will make it easier to push yourself to get to the gym today. Use that time to treat yourself to muscle recovery. Take a bath, utilize your gym’s sauna, or get a massage (I often opt for a quickie 20 minute massage to save time and money). When you schedule in a relaxation session after a couple days of working out, you’ll work even harder knowing next week you get to do it all over again.

Remember, start small and don’t burn yourself out too quickly. I know, I know, you want to get to the finish line as quickly as possible, but if you don’t allow yourself to ease back into working out…you’ll be limping there on strained, weak muscles.

So go ahead, start now! Pick one of these tips to try today and enjoy your workout!